Aristotle begins the work by positing that there exists some ultimate good toward which, in the final analysis, all human actions ultimately aim. Therefore, the goal or end of human activity is the highest good for man. Its one of those texts that is worth rereading a couple of times in ones life, for as we mature, we are privy to new insights offered by this great person. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle the internet classics archive. It is more specifically a type of wisdom relevant to practical action, implying both good judgement and excellence of character and habits, sometimes referred to as practical virtue. This study guide consists of approximately 44 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of nicomachean ethics. Nicomachean ethics is a philosophical inquiry into the nature of the good life for a human being.
Jul 20, 2015 the nicomachean ethics is a book written by aristotle named for nicomachus, which in keeping with the greek practice of boys being named after their grandfathers, was the name of both aristotles father and his son. Aristotle in this chapter tries to establish what a virtue is and proceeds roughly as follows. About aristotles ethics cliffsnotes study guides book. A summary of book iv in aristotle s nicomachean ethics.
Similarly, the person with the virtue of wit will say and listen to the right things and in the right way. Among its most outstanding features are aristotle s. The nicomachean ethics is one of aristotles most widely read and influential works. Mar 06, 2010 aristotle provides the teleological approach of how to live well in his collection of lectures, nicomachean ethics. Books v, vi, and vii of the nicomachean ethics are identical to books iv, v, and vi of the. We could only see how powerful these objections are by spelling them out more fully and considering what aristotles response would be. A summary of book i in aristotles nicomachean ethics. It offers the modern reader many useful insights into human desires and behavior despite being thousands of years old. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics, book 4, chapter 1, section 5. Both topics discuss the good for the individual and the community. He wrote several treatises on ethics, including most notably, the nicomachean ethics.
Aristotles introduction to the problem of happiness. The nicomachean ethics is the name normally given to aristotles bestknown work on ethics. Aristotle considered ethics to be a practical rather than theoretical study, i. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle, part of the internet classics archive.
Start studying aristotle s nicomachean ethics book 3. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. From kant to john rawls, all philosophers have discussed the issue with aristotle on the good life and on happiness. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics. Aristotle deals with virtues concerning money here. The greek terms for both character and habit are actually the same word, ethoshence, ethics.
In book ii of nicomachean ethics, aristotle presents his definition of virtue in which it is a kind of mean n. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. Chapter summary for aristotle s nicomachean ethics, book 4 summary. The nicomachean ethics, frequently referred to as the ethics or aristotles ethics, is aristotles bestknown work on ethics and is one of the most influential works in western moral theory. In this lesson, youll get aristotle s insight into ethics and, in particular, his approach to moral responsibility and the best way to live. The nicomachean ethicsalong with an earlier inquiry called the eudemian ethicsare part of a larger conversation about community that culminates in his work politics. This person, who is opposite of a boaster, is truthful both in what he says and how he lives. A difficulty may however be raised as to what we mean by saying that in order to become just men must do just actions, and in order to become temperate they must do temperate actions. Aristotles nicomachean ethics by aristotle, paperback. We must reason from facts accepted without question hy.
First, he notes that flourishing for plants and animals consists in their functioning well. Objections to aristotle argument, nicomachean ethics, book ii, ch. The necessary characteristics of the ultimate good are that it is complete, final, selfsufficient and. This virtue seems to be the observance of the mean in relation to wealth. Material definition of happinesswhat it consists in. Aristotle s goal in nicomachean ethics, book i, is to argue that since there cannot be an infinite number, of merely extrinsic goods, there must be a highest good, to which all human activity ultimately aims aristotle 1. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. Aristotles nicomachean ethics book 3 flashcards quizlet. Quite a few comments have been posted about nicomachean ethics. Aristotle believes that the development of intellectual and moral virtue is the only. Rereading it provided me an amazing aha so much more made sense to me. Cliffsnotes on aristotles ethics explores the ancient greek philosopher and scientists writings on ethics, particularly his analyses of character, pleasure, courage, friendship, and intelligence as. Every human activity aims at some end, whether it is an activity or a product beyond that activity. A summary of book v in aristotles nicomachean ethics.
Men agree that the good is happiness, but differ as to what this is. The highest good is the end telos or goal of that activity. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle book iv summary and analysis. Moral virtue is acquired by the repetition of the corre sponding. Aristotle taught that virtue has to do with the proper function ergon of a thing. Nicomachean ethics summary and analysis of book one. Nicomachean ethics aristotle mcmaster faculty of social. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Aristotle on ethics the nicomachean ethics, aristotle s key study of morality and the final goal of human life, has for many years been a popular and persuasive book.
The nicomachean ethics, aristotle s most important study of personal morality and the ends of human life, has for many centuries been a widelyread and influential book. Explicate aristotle s arguments in nicomachean ethics, book ii, chapter 5. The nicomachean ethics aristotle 384 bce 322 bce, translated by thomas taylor 1758 1835 the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes said to be from his lectures at the lyceum which were either edited by or dedicated to aristotle s son, nicomachus. According to aristotle, moral virtue is a means to an end, happiness.
Philosophy revision on aristotles nicomachean ethics, book one learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. Instant downloads of all 1297 litchart pdfs including nicomachean ethics. He justifies this belief by arguing that if the community is in disharmony, so will the person be. In this paper, i offer a reconstruction of aristotle s arguments in book 2, chapter 5 of the nicomachean ethics. Sep 14, 2012 an interview with professor roger crisp, editor of aristotle s nicomachean ethics duration.
Nicomachean ethics study guide contains a biography of aristotle, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Most people live by their feelings, pursuing pleasures and avoiding pains, and they dont have a taste for the fine and truly pleasant. Aristotle explains that mere arguments about virtue arent enough to make people behave decently. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by aristotle. The first arises mostly from teaching and requires experience and time to mature. Aristotle discusses pleasure in two separate parts of the nicomachean ethics book 7 chapters 1114 and book 10 chapters 15. Plato had discussed similar themes in several dialogues, including the republic and the philebus and gorgias. Aristotle has some things to say about this in book 3, chap. Taken together, these works emphasize aristotles conviction that the political art is the highest goodsince it encompasses the good ends desired by every part of the. Here well only mention a few points that might give rise to reasonable objections to aristotles argument. Having said this, aristotle cant end his discussion here, because it isnt enough to study virtue, but to act on what one has learned. Youre about to go for a severalthousandyearold rideand aristotle aint going to make it easy for you. A summary of book i in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle book i summary and analysis.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Definition of the subject and nature of the problem a. Having the virtue of truthfulness means being direct, honest, and not embellishing the things one says. This is so most obviously be cause it serves as the introduction to the whole of his po litical philosophy, which he sets forth chiefly in the ethics and politics taken together. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in nicomachean ethics, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Ideas central to ethicsthat happiness is the end of human endeavor, that moral virtue is formed through action and habituation, and that good action requires prudencefound their most powerful proponent in the person medieval scholars simply called the philosopher. The first book of the nicomachean ethics is the proper place to begin ones study of aristotle s political philosophy. Aristotle outlines two sorts of virtue virtue of thought and virtue of character. Aristotle feels individuals and communities are inseparable, whether the community is a family, a tribe, or a city. Though written more than 2,000 years ago, it offers the modern reader many valuable insights into human needs and conduct. All living things have nutrition and growth as a work, all animals according to the definition of animal aristotle used would have.
1430 323 1196 269 126 358 462 830 868 285 745 1200 155 839 633 1052 1206 624 455 709 1138 1323 1327 795 281 1087 1068 539 960 381 841 30 627 590 736 1415 688